By RFIPosted on 25-12-2019Changed on 25-12-2019 at 02:35

The Beninese justice system condemned this Tuesday an investigative journalist to 18 months in prison and a fine of 200,000 CFA francs for posts on social networks.

Journalist Ignace Sossou began Tuesday serving an 18-month prison sentence. Justice has condemned him after a complaint by the public prosecutor, who accuses him of having taken out of their context remarks he made during a workshop organized by Canal France International in Cotonou, on "the info ”. Ignace Sossou was tried immediately, five days after his arrest.

His lawyer believes that things went too quickly, which did not allow him to properly prepare the defense of the journalist. For Prisca Oboubi, the justice system had a heavy hand and even went beyond the punishment provided. " It's deplorable, " she regrets. The law provides for a maximum sentence of 12 months. Where did the judge go to find 18 months ? This is the face that Beninese justice presents today. During her oral argument, counsel insisted on the identity of the complainant and insinuated that the fate of his client was sealed in advance.

Opposite, Me Olga Anasside was counsel for the Prosecutor. She refuses to recognize Ignace as a journalist and reminds the Court that the accused has already been sentenced to a suspended prison sentence once before. She asked for a heavy sentence, got it and is happy about it. “ The court was right to pronounce this sentence. Professionals must observe the ethical requirements of their profession so that we do not end up with drifts like those we have observed. "

It all started with a presentation by the prosecutor in a workshop on "information". Ignace attended and published some selected pieces.

The prosecutor immediately disputed and claimed that the remarks had been taken out of context. The journalist's lawyer announced that she would quickly appeal.

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